Credit Cards With Elite Car Rental Perks

If you've ever shown up at a rental car counter only to wait in a long line, get stuck with whatever's left on the lot, or pay extra for a second driver, you know how much the experience can vary. Rental car elite status changes all of that, often allowing you to skip the counter entirely, snag complimentary upgrades and add a second driver for free.

The catch? Earning it the traditional way means renting a lot of cars. Hertz President's Circle, for example, ordinarily requires 15 rentals or $3,000 in annual spending. Avis Preferred Plus, on the other hand, requires 10 rentals or $4,000 spent annually.

But several premium travel credit cards hand it to you automatically. Here are some of the credit cards that offer automatic elite status benefits at certain rental car companies.

» Learn more: The cheapest way to rent a car

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

As a Visa Infinite card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers complimentary elite status with four major rental car programs. Here's a look at what you can expect.

Avis Preferred

Through the Visa Infinite program, the Venture X offers complimentary enrollment in Avis Preferred Plus, the second tier in the Avis Preferred loyalty program. Its perks include:

• The ability to bypass the rental car counter.

• Complimentary one-car class upgrades when available.

• 1.25 Avis Preferred points on every rental.

In addition to the standard Avis Preferred Plus perks, you'll also get:

• Up to 30% off base rates on qualifying rentals.

• Up to 10% off base rates on Select Series rentals. 

• Free weekend rentals.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

The Venture X offers top-tier Hertz President's Circle status, which goes beyond the Hertz Five Star status that's provided through the Visa Infinite program. Perks include:

• The ability to bypass the rental car counter.

• Access to the widest selection of vehicles.

• A one-car-class upgrade (maximum upgrade to a full-sized vehicle).

• An additional driver at no extra cost.

• 1.5 Hertz points per dollar spent on rentals.

National Car Rental Emerald Club

Through the Visa Infinite program, you'll get complimentary Emerald Club Executive membership, which is the program's second loyalty tier. Its perks include:

• No second driver fees.

• Earn one credit per rental, with a free rental day after six credits.

• Guaranteed upgrades when you reserve a full-size through luxury vehicle in the U.S. and Canada.

• Members-only discounts.

You'll also receive up to 25% in savings on qualifying rentals at participating locations in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.

SIXT ONE

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders also receive complimentary SIXT ONE Platinum status through their Visa Infinite benefits. Platinum is the third of four tiers in SIXT's ONE loyalty program. Benefits include:

• Up to 15% discount on qualifying rentals.

• Free vehicle upgrades.

• Skip-the-counter check-in via the SIXT app at select locations.

• Access to member-only offers.

• 20% more points on rentals.

You'll also get 10% off SIXT ride chauffeur services and airport transfers, as well as access to SIXT+ car subscriptions with premium vehicles and flexible cancellations.

» Learn more: Is the Capital One Venture X worth its annual fee?

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Like the Venture X, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a Visa Infinite card, which means you're entitled to upgrades, discounts and other elite status perks with four rental car companies.

Avis Preferred

In addition to Avis Preferred Plus benefits, you’ll see savings of up to 30% off base rates on qualifying rentals, free weekend rentals and up to 10% off base rates on Select Series rentals.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders who are enrolled in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards can get a fast-track to Hertz Five Star status. Benefits include:

• Skip the counter and go straight to your car.

• Choose from a wider selection of premium cars.

• Complimentary vehicle upgrades.

• Free second driver.

• 1.25 points per dollar spent on rentals.

National Car Rental Emerald Club

Cardholders receive complimentary Emerald Club Executive level membership, plus up to 25% on qualifying National rentals at participating locations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.

SIXT ONE

You'll also get complimentary SIXT ONE Platinum status, giving you the same benefits as a Venture X cardholder. That includes 10% off SIXT ride chauffeur services and airport transfers, and access to SIXT+ car subscriptions.

United Club℠ Card

The United Club℠ Card is another Visa Infinite credit card that offers broad access to rental car perks. Here's a look at what you'll get.

Avis Preferred

The United Club℠ Card is the only card we found that gets you into Avis President's Club — the program's highest tier that doesn't require an invitation. Once enrolled, you'll receive the following perks on top of what Avis Preferred Plus members get:

• Guaranteed vehicle availability (as long as you've reserved at least 24 hours in advance, up to a full-size vehicle).

• Complimentary two-car-class upgrades based on availability, for rentals of an eligible vehicle midsize or larger.

• Dedicated support phone number.

• 1.5 Avis Preferred points on every rental.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

Enrolled cardholders get fast-track access to Hertz Five Star status through Visa Infinite, which includes discounted rental rates and extra hours on returns for U.S. rentals.

National Car Rental Emerald Club

As a Visa Infinite cardholder, you'll receive complimentary Emerald Club Executive membership, plus up to 25% off qualifying rentals at participating locations.

SIXT ONE

You'll enjoy SIXT ONE Platinum status, along with 10% off SIXT ride chauffeur services and airport transfers, and access to SIXT+ car subscriptions.

American Express Platinum Card®

The American Express Platinum Card® is another strong option for rental car perks, giving you status with three major rental car programs. Note that The Business Platinum Card® from American Express also offers these perks.

Here’s what you’ll get, broken down by rental car company:

Avis Preferred

Like most cards on this list, the Platinum Card offers complimentary Avis Preferred Plus status, with the same perks described above: counter bypass, complimentary upgrades when available, discounts on qualifying rentals and bonus Avis Preferred Points. Enrollment required.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

Like the Venture X, the Amex Platinum gets you top-tier President's Circle status rather than the Five Star status that comes standard through the Visa Infinite program. Enrollment required. President's Circle includes a one-car-class upgrade, access to the widest vehicle selection, an additional driver at no extra cost and a 1.5x points earning rate.

Additionally, you can use the AmEx Corporate Discount Code (CDP) to get up to 20% off base rental rates, plus a four-hour grace period when returning your car.

National Car Rental Emerald Club

The Amex Platinum also includes the same complimentary Emerald Club Executive membership described above, with upgrades on midsize reservations, no second driver fees and a faster path to free rental days. Enrollment required.

Tips for making the most of rental car elite status

Elite status perks don't always kick in automatically. Here's how to make sure you're getting everything you're entitled to:

• Enroll before you book: Even though your card technically entitles you to elite status, you typically have to enroll in the rental car loyalty program first and link your card through your issuer's benefits portal. Doing this before your first rental saves you the headache of sorting it out at the counter.

• Book directly with the rental company: Booking through a third-party travel site often means your elite status won't be recognized. To make sure you're getting your perks, book directly through the rental company or through your card issuer's travel portal.

• Understand what "guaranteed upgrade" means: Guaranteed upgrades typically apply when you reserve a specific vehicle class, not just any car. Read the fine print for each program to know exactly when an upgrade is triggered.

• Take advantage of status matching: Once you have elite status with one rental company, you may be able to use it to request a status match at another. This can be a useful way to extend your perks if your upcoming rental is with a company where your card doesn't offer status.

Most premium travel cards come with some form of rental car insurance, but the details vary. While some offer primary coverage that pays out before your personal auto insurance, others only offer secondary coverage.

Either way, you'll typically need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver and pay for the rental with your card to activate the benefit. Check your card's benefits guide before your trip to understand what's covered, what's excluded and how to file a claim if you need to.

Learn more: Rental car insurance: How your credit card has you covered

The bottom line

Rental car elite status doesn't always get the same fanfare as hotel and airline elite status, but it's a premium perk that can save you money every time you travel. And the right credit card can hand you those perks that frequent renters may spend years earning.

Whether you're after guaranteed upgrades, a faster path through the lot or simply the ability to skip the counter entirely, the cards on this list make it easy to elevate your experience without logging a single extra rental. The key is knowing what you have — and taking a few minutes to enroll before your next trip.